Day 337: Winter Wonderland

It's beginning to look more and more like Christmas every day here in Stockholm. Windows all around the city are suddenly being lit up with red or white paper stars, including ours. Julrosor (poinsettias) can be seen in living room and kitchen windows, lit outdoor candles stand just outside the shops warmly inviting you in and Christmas trees and other assorted holiday decor are being sold in the squares around the city. Add to this the beautiful brightness of the snow lying quietly everywhere and you have a truly magical winter wonderland.

Yesterday I saw something quite unusual. The trees along the street where we were walking were standing there with snow all the way up their trunks as well as floating effortlessly in their branches. I don't remember seeing this phenomenon in past years but it must have happened then as well. My husband said it is from wind blowing the snow in that direction and the snow just stays like that. Well, it's amazingly beautiful to see. Almost like seeing a tree skeleton, as the entire tree is lined in white. 

One thing that really amazes me when everything is covered with snow is how quiet and gentle nature seems covered in a white blanket. Everything seems more peaceful and tranquil, like walking on top of clouds. It both invigorates me and makes me feel sleepy. Kitty seems to be affected in a similar fashion. Yesterday I found her under the covers in our bed sleeping the afternoon away. Today, after a short field trip out on our balcony to get acquainted with the snow, she could be found sleeping deeply with ears twitching on her beanbag poof in the living room. I could also be found napping here and there. A wonderful, relaxing weekend recuperating and regenerating for the week.

Now I'm off to see if I can locate our advent candleholder in our Christmas box...

Have a Happy Sunday!

A collection of mini snowmen made by some kids who live in our building. Aren't they cute?

 One example of Sweden's gorgeous winter wonderland... 

Do you see the snow all the way up along the tree trunks? Amazing, isn't it?

Day 334: Snow Day

Well, so much for wishing for a day to stay home. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. That or be more specific about the details of your wish. Now I'm home sick and it's a beautiful winter wonderland outside and I have to stay indoors and enjoy it from afar. Yes, it snowed all night and it's sticking today. My husband and I were talking just last night about the phrase, "It's sticking," which is used to describe the snow remaining on the ground and not melting. Before he moved from Sweden to Texas he'd never heard that expression and the first time he heard it he thought it was the craziest thing. Obviously there were no sticks coming down from the sky, what could it possibly mean? I wonder if it's an expression used only in Texas, or the south. Regardless, I can definitely say, in southern or Texas speak, that "it's sticking" today in Stockholm.

Sitting here in my apartment I can picture how beautiful all of the trees and parks look, covered with a magical dusting of white snow to brighten things up. Having a layer of crisp puffy snow overnight everything always helps with the long dark winter days here. The days don't feel as dark and heavy even if the sun is not shining. But snow days in Sweden are nothing like snow days in Texas. Everything shuts down in Texas. Schools close for the day, roads are less traveled and some stores even shut down. Of course, it doesn't snow nearly as much there so there isn't the support system set up to handle the icy roads. Here life goes on as normal. It is someone's job to go around the city sprinkling gravel and sand on roads, sidewalks and the pathways through the parks to keep people from slipping as they walk from here to there.

The year we moved here my first experience with snow and icy conditions on the sidewalks was met with my rump on the ground several times. The special "snow" boots I bought in Texas were as slippery as ice skates but I was too proud to buy those special attachments to put on my shoes to help with slippery, icy conditions. Instead I put new boots on my wish list and for Christmas I received an awesome pair of boots that helped tremendously with the slippery conditions. Since then I've learned that you have to roll through your feet as you are walking over the snow and ice and that really helps to keep one from slipping or falling. Even so, you still won't find me walking around in high heels or skirts and short jackets in below zero temperatures. If you look around however there are plenty of women wearing such attire. Next to them you'll find me covered from head to toe in long pants, turtlenecks, scarves, hats, gloves and a long winter coat. But only on days colder than -15 Celsius will you catch me in the arctic duffle - better known as my sleeping bag coat.